Iowans are reacting Wednesday to news that the U.S. Supreme Court struck down President Barack Obama's executive order on immigration.

The Supreme Court voted 4-4 on the White House's efforts to shield millions of immigrants who are living in the U.S. illegally from deportation was seen as a major victory-by-default for Texas and 25 other Republican-dominated states who challenged the order. They argued that President Barack Obama was overstepping his executive authority.

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Among those with strong reactions in Iowa were the Sancen family who moved to Des Moines 17 years ago. They learned their family could be split up, again.

Obama's order protected about 4 million from deportation.

"We're back to square one in terms of little has changed in regards to an issue. We've been dealing with this for 20 to 25 years, longer," said Mark Kende, a Drake University constitutional law expert.

Giselle Sancen was 2 years old when her family emigrated from Mexico to Des Moines.

She received DACA or deferred action for childhood arrivals, meaning she's not a citizen but can get a license, work and go to school here.

"I know everything my parents did. They did with good intentions. They did with love and for me to have a better life," said Giselle Sancen.

Giselle's younger brother was born in the U.S. Her father was deported 5 years ago and her mother lives here as an undocumented immigrant.

"Just even thinking about having my mom taken from me like I've been through it with my dad. It's hard," said Giselle Sancen.

Family's like Giselle's often turn to The Catholic Dioceses of Des Moines for help. The dioceses told KCCI that it's disappointed in the Supreme Court's decision.

"We're always striving to keep families together so anything that comes in between that, a barrier, at any level is something that doesn't go with what we want to strive for," said Jessica Maciel Hernandez of the Des Moines Diocese.

Giselle said all she can do now is hope that her family doesn't get separated yet again.

"I know I would be fine but my brother I feel like it would kind of ruin any opportunity he has. He could stay her but it would just be hard as if my life wasn't already hard enough what I've gone through," said Giselle Sancen.

If Congress doesn't take any action next year, the issue could go before the Supreme Court again once a ninth Supreme Court Justice is appointed.